Committee approves vehicle sales permit, recreation site, licenses and development agreements

The Waukegan Community Development Committee on March 3, 2025, approved a package of permits, contracts and licensing items covering motor vehicle sales, an indoor recreation facility, parking permits, campus use, a purchase‑and‑sale amendment for a downtown parcel, an economic development strategic plan contract, an electricity‑procurement participation authorization, and a restaurant liquor license amendment.

Key approvals

- A conditional use permit was approved for motor vehicle sales at 3030 Washington Street (zoning calendar 2773). Applicant Sergei Moknotko told the committee he had read the 15 conditions, agreeing "I read it last time. I don't remember all of it, but I agree with it, and I will, do as it's written there." The motion passed on a roll call vote.

- A conditional use permit was approved for an indoor recreation facility at 699 Lakehurst Road (zoning calendar 2774), described to the committee as a pickleball facility. The motion passed unanimously.

- A resolution approving an agreement with the Joslyn Center for parking permits in the 225 North County parking garage passed.

- The committee authorized a second extension of a conditional use permit allowing the Board of Trustees of Community College District 532, College of Lake County, to operate an educational institution at 100 West Madison Street.

- The committee approved amendment No. 1 to a purchase and sale agreement between the City of Waukegan and Associated Bank for the parcel at 1 South Genesee. City staff said the city had offered to purchase the parcel for $500,000, which staff described as "$100,000 less than the list price," and that the city would set aside $75,000 for environmental remediation. A staff member explained the amendment reflects a negotiated price reduction and a $75,000 remediation allocation. The motion passed; a committee member asked and was told the funds come from TIF number 8.

- The committee approved a professional services agreement with TIP Strategies to prepare an economic development strategic plan for an amount not to exceed $200,000, funded by a one‑time State of Illinois grant. Planning staff described the study as citywide rather than downtown‑only: "Not just downtown, but this is a study that will look at the entire city economic development landscape, provide information on the current situation and what the low hanging fruit is..." The motion passed.

- The committee authorized participation in the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative and authorized the mayor to approve a contract with the lowest‑cost electricity provider for up to 36 months.

- The committee approved an ordinance creating a Class E restaurant liquor license for La Chuparosa, 760 North Green Bay Road, and voted to amend the recommendation so approval would be contingent on the applicant filing for a Class E‑1 license (the variant that covers outdoor seating). Committee members urged the applicant to submit the E‑1 paperwork before council; the amended motion passed.

What it means

Most items were procedural approvals that will allow applicants and the city to move to permitting, contracting and further implementation steps. The amendment to the Associated Bank purchase agreement includes a $75,000 set‑aside for environmental remediation tied to TIF number 8; staff described the purchase price negotiation and remediation set‑aside on the record.

Ending: All motions reported here passed committee and will move forward to the City Council or to administrative follow‑up as required by ordinance, permit conditions and funding source rules.